Free MLB Pick: Astros vs. Rangers Odds
Looking for Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers Free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Astros taking on the Rangers on Thursday, April 28th, 2022 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Astros Rangers free pick.
2022 MLB Handicapping
(9-9) Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers (6-12)
Date: Thursday, April 28th, 2022
Time: 2:05 PM ET
Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Projected Pitchers: Justin Verlander (HOU) vs. Martin Perez (TX)
MLB Moneyline Odds: Astros -130 | Rangers +110
MLB run line Betting Odds: Astros -1.5, Rangers +1.5
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 8.5
There will be an inter-state AL West rivalry game on Monday as the Houston Astros travel to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers.
Big offseason additions Semien and Seagar had RBI singles in the decisive seventh inning, last season’s top rookie Adolis Garcia had a bases-clearing double in the eighth, and the Rangers beat the Houston Astros 6-2 in the opener of a four-game series Monday night.
Kyle Tucker homered and drove in three runs to lead the Astros to a bounce back 5-1 victory on Tuesday.
Kyle Tucker hit a three-run double in the fifth inning and Cristian Javier won his first start of the season as the Astros held off the Rangers 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Houston Astros
The Astros have not exactly lit the world on fire to start this season but you do not get the sense from them that it is going to be an issue. In all likelihood, they will figure it out.
Through the first 15 games of a season, no team wants to be below.500 but they understand how long the season is. With the group of guys they have on their roster to go along with their manager, it would really shock me if they were not competing for their division when all is said and done.
Right now, they are in 4th place in the AL West. The Mariners lead them by 2.5 games with a record of 10-6.
One thing that is a little concerning about them so far is how they have played against some of the better teams. They can get stronger in that department as the year goes on but it is certainly something to keep an eye on.
The Blue Jays came into Houston and beat them two games out of three over the weekend. Each game was a close one as they were decided by just one run.
Texas Rangers
Another year and it seems like the Rangers are destined for an awful lot of failure. What’s new, right?
I understand that they went out there and got guys like Seager, Semien, and Gray, but is that really going to push the needle that much to the point where they are a serious contender in a super competitive AL? For this year, that answer is a clear no.
Listen, it is very plausible that they could get marginally better compared to past seasons and maybe win in the mid to high 70s. Cracking 80 would be a miracle for me, quite frankly.
There is no question that they have some pieces on their roster for years to come and they are on the right path to a degree but they still have an awful lot of work to do. Forget being a threat in the AL, they are going to have a hard enough time being a threat in their own division.
This series with the Astros will be a big test for them and I want to see how they handle it. If they can look good and win some games over their divisional rival who is better than them, maybe they have some hope. This is a team that has to show me what they can do before I can start singing their praises.
MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Astros are 6-6 ATS on the road
- Astros O/U are 3-9 on the road
- Rangers are 5-6 ATS at home
- Rangers are 4-6-1 at home
Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers MLB Prediction:
The Astros need a strong finish to the series to push past .500 on the season. Verlander has been outstanding thus far in his return from surgery. He is averaging over 6 innings pitched and will certainly do that against the struggling Rangers lineup on Thursday.
Texas is 3rd in MLB in strikeout percentage so far this season after finishing 18th in 2021. Verlander is pitching behind the 8th best defense in MLB thus far so he can be confident that plays will be made behind him.
Take the Astros to win again.
4* Free MLB Betting Pick: Astros -1.5
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